Gender-based analysis plus

Institutional GBA+ capacity

PCO’s GBA+ Focal Point (1.5 FTE) continues to develop GBA+ tools and resources for analysts in the department, including targeted training modules, case studies, and tools to help analysts provide direction on GBA+ to departments. The Focal point also operates a general mailbox, and participates in the PCO Employment Equity and Diversity Advisory Committee (EEDAC).

PCO continues to maintain a GBA+ Champion at the Deputy Secretary level. The GBA+ Champion is responsible for the promotion of GBA+ at PCO

PCO continues to develop a GBA+ framework/directive for the department and expects to complete this work in 2020-2021.

GBA+ training is mandatory for over one third of positions at PCO, including for all executives in the EX-01 to EX-05 levels.

As part of PCO’s role of supporting Cabinet operations, PCO analysts provide the “challenge function” for departments to advance policy, legislative and government administration proposals through Memoranda to Cabinet (MCs) and other Cabinet documents, which incorporate GBA+.

PCO’s GBA+ Focal Point continues to provide ongoing updates on the quality of GBA+ in Cabinet documents to the Deputy Secretary, Cabinet Affairs analysts and policy and program leads in other government departments. The GBA+ Focal Point also continues to work across PCO to support the GBA+ challenge function through tool development, training for PCO staff, case study development, and ad hoc support for PCO analysts.

In addition, the GBA+ Focal Point is engaged on all PCO-led MCs, to ensure that GBA+ is properly completed.

Highlights of GBA+ results by program

Social and Economic Policy
  • PCO continues to collaborate with the Treasury Board Secretariat (TBS), Finance Canada (FIN), and the Department of Women and Gender Equality (WAGE) to ensure the implementation of and reporting on the GBA+ Action Plan (2016-2020).
  • The GBA+ Focal Point and PCO analysts support the delivery of the Canada School of Public Service GBA+ Premium Course.
  • The GBA+ Focal Point continues to support WAGE, FIN, and TBS on the implementation and refinement of GBA+ as it applies to Cabinet documents.
  • The GBA+ Focal Point conducts an annual review of GBA+ in MCs. This information is provided to analysts within PCO, as well as WAGE, FIN, and TBS to ensure rigorous application of GBA+ in the MC process.
  • In 2020, the GBA+ Focal Point completed a review of over 20 MCs. The review looked at broad trends and issues affecting the overall quality of GBA+. The intent of the review was to identify the level of consistency of the GBA+ challenge function at PCO, and to determine what additional tools could facilitate PCO analysts in their challenge function role. This work was coordinated with WAGE to ensure consistent advice and training development on the quality and expectations around GBA+ in Cabinet documents.
  • A horizontal PCO task team has been established that studies the impacts of COVID-19 on vulnerable populations, which is informed by a GBA+ lens. This work compiles intersectional data and disseminates GBA+ information within PCO, and to other government departments, on the impacts COVID-19 measures on vulnerable groups.

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